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Protest against birth control mandate

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The public outcry over the birth control mandate in Obama Care continued in South Bend.

A large crowd opposing the mandate rallied in front of the Jon R. Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center on Friday afternoon.

The mandate requires most health care plans to provide free contraceptives, sterilizations and other abortion-inducing drugs.

However, religious organizations such as the University of Notre Dame say this will force them to contradict the teachings of their faith. Other community members are concerned about the precedent this mandate will set.

"If people choose to use birth control and whatever else, that's their choice. There is nothing anybody can do to stop that. However, I don't feel that everyone should be forced to provide that for them," Karen Collins, a rally supporter, said.

Others feel that personal freedom is at stake with such a mandate and sets a dangerous precedent.

"If you do not stand up for your freedoms, then they can be trampled," Alica Nagy said. "It's very easy, people will always take more than they should if you don't say 'hey, back off!'"

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and other Catholic institutions have filed a lawsuit they describe as seeking justice in the matter of religious liberty.